But that’s exactly what boss Brendan Rodgers and the fans were saying after a shambolic send-off for their beloved captain.

The Reds suffered their biggest ever Premier League loss and their worst since a 7-2 loss to Tottenham in April 1963, as Stoke cruelly exposed the failings of Rodgers’ side.

It was a crushing defeat that will inevitably raise serious questions bout whether Rodgers really is the right man to lead them next season.

Certainly the flak he received from angry fans as he walked towards the tunnel at half-time with his side 5-0 down left him in no doubt this was unacceptable.

“We are embarrassed and the supporters deserve an apology,” said Rodgers.

“The supporters have every right to be angry. They have been brilliant for us so we can have no complaints. The fans were angry at half-time and rightly so because that was awful.”

Rodgers remains adamant that he is the right man to lead Liverpool but accepts his job is now on line.

LEAVING: Steven Gerrard grabbed a goal in his final game for Liverpool [GETTY]

"I accept that there will be questions about my future,” Rodgers said. “I’ve always said if the owners want me to go I go. I still feel I have a lot to offer.

“There is an awful lot of work to do and our job is to go to fix that. My pride makes me want to be in this job. I love the job and I love the club.”

Liverpool’s woefulness should take nothing away from Stoke who, despite having little to play for, demolished the lacklustre visitors with some ruthless finishing.

Mame Biram Diouf opened the scoring when he capitalised on Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet’s fumble to smash home from close range and bagged a spectacular second from long range.

A daft header back across goal by Emre Can allowed Jonathan Walters to bundle in a third before a Charlie Adam and Steven Nzonzi rifled in from distance.

While there was carnage on the pitch Rodgers hid contract rebel Raheem Sterling on the bench – perhaps fearing he did not need to stoke tensions further after a chaotic week for his contract rebel star.

“I felt there were others players better mentally positioned to be in the game, it was as simple as that,” Rodgers said about the decision not to introduce Sterling.

With 20 minutes left Gerrard latched on to Rickie Lambert’s flick to score the 186th goal of his distinguished career with an angled finish - a moment which drew a standing ovation from all sides of the ground.

Stoke till had the final word though and heaped more misery on Liverpool when Diouf crossed from the right flank for substitute Peter Crouch to head home.

Gerrard was the last Liverpool player to leave the pitch at full-time and even the Stoke supporters must have felt a tinge of sadness that one of the game’s iconic players signed off in such circumstances.

“I’m sure Steven wasn’t anticipating that would be the manner of his last game,” said Stoke boss Mark Hughes.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better finish to a great season. The level performance in the first 45 minutes was exceptional.”